WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Lyon, France on the USA Network | August 29th, 2025 — The Episode Recap:

Sami Zayn defeated Solo Sikoa in front of the Lyon, France Crowd to become the new WWE United States Champion. This is his first time ever. Sami Zayn is the WWE United States Champion. (Photo by WWE)

The August 29th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Results:

The Opening Match: Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (08:39)

The 2nd Match: Michin defeated Kiana James (with Giulia) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (00:07)

The 3rd Match: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (with B-Fab) defeated Melo Don’t Miz (Carmelo Hayes & The Miz) in a WWE Tag Team Title Number One Contendership Match | via Pin-Fall — (09:06)

The Main Event Match: Sami Zayn defeated Solo Sikoa (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) (c) in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (12:26) — TITLE CHANGE!!!!

My Thoughts on the August 29th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: This episode of SmackDown was satisfactory, largely due to the enthusiastic crowd in Lyon, France, who contributed significantly to the atmosphere with their loud reactions and participation in singing theme songs. However, the matches presented during the show were generally mediocre, except for the Main Event Match. Kiana James’ squash match was particularly unproductive and did not add value to the program. Additionally, it is worth noting that Carmelo Hayes should have received consideration for a match at the Premium Live Event for the WWE Tag Team Titles, as he has not participated in a significant match since Crown Jewel last November. Overall, this episode can be described as average.

The August 29th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: **.25 — What was the point of promoting a Tag Title Match and making Chelsea Green take Piper Niven's spot just for it to be a Singles Match? The Singles Match was okay. Charlotte Flair was taken out, which caused this match, but I'm just upset that a week of promotion and the match never happened, even after multiple changes to the match. This match was pointless, but they continue to build the feud much more now, and I expect a Title Match next week.

The 2nd Match: Michin vs. Kiana James (with Giulia) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — This match was just finished in seven seconds. All this match was for Michin to get the win over Kiana James, who had her first-ever SmackDown Match since her return from injury and loss. At least we know now who’ll be Giulia’s next challenger for her WWE Women’s United States Title in Michin, who, in the early part of the year, was chasing that same title when Chelsea Green was the holder of it. But a pointless match, but at least Michin and Giulia are set for the future.

The 3rd Match: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (with B-Fab) defeated Melo Don’t Miz (Carmelo Hayes & The Miz) in a WWE Tag Team Title Number One Contendership Match | The Match Rating: **.75 — Carmelo Hayes deserves better. I wish he could have gotten the PLE Slot because it's been so long, but I love the Street Profits and back-to-back PLE Matches. I'm very happy for them. The match itself was okay, nothing too special to go down on. The only notable moment was The Miz's miscommunication with Carmelo Hayes after the Wyatt Sicks appeared at ringside. But at WWE Clash at Paris, we'll see The Wyatt Sicks vs. The Street Prfots for the WWE Tag Team Titles, and I hope it delivers like their match back in July of this year.

The Main Event Match: Solo Sikoa (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) (c) vs. Sami Zayn in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.75 — This was Solo Sikoa's best match since the Steel Cage Match on the SmackDown Premiere Episode when they moved back to the USA Network. What I liked about this match it wasn't rushed, it was given time and allowed to be fully put together. I didn't expect Sami Zayn to win because, in WWE Logic, he had two pin-fall wins on Solo Sikoa, but shockingly, we got a major title change, and I'm glad Sami Zayn got the WWE United States Title. He is one title away from the Grand Slam, and I hope he gets that at WrestleMania 42, taking down Seth Rollins for the World Title, but a very fun Main Event and the crowd made it so much better.

The August 29th WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night:

Solo Sikoa (with JC Mateo, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) (c) vs. Sami Zayn in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.75

The August 29th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade

6.25/10 (C+) — This was an okay episode of SmackDown that was carried by the Lyon, France crowd who were having the time of their lives popping loud, and singing theme songs. It was a great environment. But the matches on the show were mediocre. Outside of the Main Event Match. Kiana James’ squash match was such a waste of time, and I thought Carmelo Hayes should’ve got the PLE nod for the WWE Tag Team Titles, as he hasn’t had an actual PLE Match since Crown Jewel last year in November. But other than those complaints a very okay to average episode of Friday Night SmackDown.